Hundreds of millions

This week saw a series of massive contract awards ranging from megaproject development to MEP and EPC works in the oil and gas industry.

NEOM led the headlines, with Red Sea International announcing it has been assigned a $175 million pre-fab staff accommodation camp dedicated to the Trojena dams, indicating work is going steadily ahead in time for completion before the 2029 Asian Winter Games. Red Sea International also announced its subsidiary has won a series of MEP contracts totalling more than $111 million. More details below.

Meanwhile, renowned British architect and newly-elected incoming president of the Royal British Institute of Architects Chris Williamson candidly addressed criticism faced by architects and firms for taking on projects at NEOM and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, saying diverse viewpoints should be respected and that it's important to look at the direction a country is heading towards.

"There was a time when I was working in USA and felt uncomfortable with what was reported to be happening in Guantanamo Bay or the plight of many prisoners incarcerated elsewhere. The UK in the 1960s was not a particularly tolerant place in many respects — it is important to look at the direction of travel of the country in question, not merely where they are now.” — Chris Williamson

Here's more of what Williamson said.

Top stories of the week

1. The Red Sea International Company has been awarded a contract worth $175.3 million (SAR658 million) from WeBuild SpA to build a series of preliminary buildings at NEOM’s Trojena dams project over the next 12 months.

2. Modern Building Leaders (MBL) awarded Red Sea International's subsidiary First Fix two contracts for MEP works, one worth $67 million and another valued at $44 million, which follow on from a $30 million contract awarded in May. Though Red Sea International did not disclose the project's name in its public filings, MBL is currently commissioning contractors for its Jeddah Central megaprojects, which it won earlier this year from the Jeddah Central Development Corporation.

3. ADNOC awarded NMDC a $200 million contract for crucial marine dredging works at its low-carbon LNG project at Ruwais. NMDC will also install vital navigational aids to ensure safe maritime access to the facility.

4. On the real estate front, Emaar's former group CEO Abdulla Lahej launched his very own turnkey real estate development company, backed by funding from Ayana Holding, which he co-founded in 2014. Lahej has indicated the developer has plans to enter the market for high-end urban apartments aimed at investors.

5. An Egis and Systra joint venture will oversee the development and implementation of the Madinah bus rapid transit project, an integral component of the city’s comprehensive large-scale transportation initiative serving both residents and pilgrims.

6. The King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC) has appointed major firms to oversee the proposed massive new?expansion of Riyadh’s airport. Mace will supervise the planning and construction, Foster + Partners has been tapped to design the airport and facilities, while Jacobs will consult for master planning and runway design. Saudi firm Nera will oversee the airspace and air traffic design.

7. Oman’s Galfar Engineering and Contracting SAOG has signed a five-year framework agreement with Worley Oman. Under the agreement, Worley Oman will provide engineering, project support and procurement services for work at two of Petroleum Development Oman’s (PDO) concession areas, Qarn Alam and Saih Rawl.

8. Ensuring the health and longevity of properties is crucial in today’s digital age. With most of our time spent indoors, building quality directly affects well-being. Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a significant concern, leading to health issues from poor indoor environments, manifesting through a range of symptoms among occupants, including headaches, respiratory issues, fatigue, and emotional distress.

What is it, and how can we avoid it?

9. Zaha Hadid Architects, which has designed the headquarters of the Central Bank of Iraq, has revealed new photos showing progress on the project. Recent photos released by the firm on social media and its website show the building close to finishing, with the 170-metre tall tapered and twisting tower completed.

Engineers working on the project have described it as one of the most sophisticated and challenging projects in the world due to the omnidirectional nature of the curtain wall (pictured in the header).

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